Contents

An interesting reason proposed by proponents for the suppression of free energy technologies[3] is that a capitalist system would crumble if the technology were introduced- essentially, because we wouldn't have to pay for oil, coal and power, nobody would ever have to pay for anything.

Even more interesting is how sunlight and air being free has yet to lead to the collapse of the capitalist system.

Science fiction has explored the implications of this, most notably Star Trek and the "Culture" novels of Iain M. Banks. Both deal with societies that simultaneously developed a socialistutopia and did away with money, largely due to the introduction of technology that provided what was essentially limitless, free energy. Such an economic system is called a "post-scarcity economy," and the absence of such technology is the reason why post-scarcity economies remain in the realm of fiction. Edward Bellamy's 1888 novel Looking Backward describes a young man who falls into a deep sleep for over a century. When he awakes, it is the year 2000 and the United States has become a socialist utopia, and numerous leaps forward in technology have been made to allow for this system to flourish.[4]

In Payday 2, one contract involves stealing a fusion device for a Republican senator as the Big Oil companies are supporting the senator [5]